As expected the Miami football team plummeted in the national power rankings after Sunday night’s loss to LSU. All if not most of their 2018 goals remain in front of them.
The 33-17 loss was devastating on many levels. The Miami football team was dominated by LSU for the first three quarters. Two unanswered fourth-quarter touchdowns somewhat saved face. The Tigers led 33-3 entering the final quarter.
Thought to be the second-best team in the ACC entering 2018, the preseason number eight Hurricanes only fell slightly in the conference power rankings. Their fall in the national power rankings was precipitous. Miami fell from eighth in both preseason polls to 22nd in the AP and 21st in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
After being ranked ninth in the ESPN preseason power rankings the Miami football team barely stayed in ESPN’s Power Rankings after week one. The Hurricanes plummeted to 25th after the embarrassing loss to LSU. CBSSports.Com had a bit more faith in Mark Richt’s team ranking them 21st.
ESPN stated the obvious by saying that the Hurricanes resurgence under Mark Richt hit a serious stumbling block. The mothership added that each of the Miami football team’s losses during the four-game losing streak stretching back to the end of last season has come by ten points or more.
The losses to Pittsburgh, Clemson in the ACC Championship game, Wisconsin in the Orange Bowl and LSU in the Advocare Classic have been by an average margin of 17.75 points per game. The streak will end on Saturday when Miami hosts Savannah State in the home opener. That follows with a trip to Toledo and hosting FIU.
The Hurricanes should a win all three of those games. Miami hosts North Carolina in the ACC opener on September 27. Win out and the Hurricanes would be 4-1 heading into their annual showdown with Florida State. The Seminoles come to Hard Rock Stadium on October 6.
Miami did not fall very far from their perch as the ACC’s second-best team entering 2018. ESPN has the Hurricanes fourth in the ACC Power Rankings behind Clemson, Virginia Tech and Boston College, one spot ahead of Florida State.
Despite the loss to LSU Syracuse.Com has Miami one position higher at third. They summarized all 14 teams that play ACC Football.
"“The Hurricanes…were never able to get a ground game going on offense. Quarterback Malik Rosier (15-for-35 for 59 yards) isn’t accurate or consistent enough to power an offense on his own.The loss, and the margin, will grow questions about the legitimacy of the Hurricanes’ rebound last year, especially since much of their success stemmed from forcing an improbably high number of turnovers.”"
If there was a blessing in the poor all-around performance offensively it is the likelihood that Miami faced the toughest defense they will in the regular season. If the Hurricanes are fortunate enough to win the ACC Coastal again they will almost definitely play Clemson in the title game. Those Tigers are equally stout on defense.
CBS Sports also summarized the Hurricanes.
"“That certainly was disappointing if you thought the Canes were ready to challenge in the ACC and nationally. Malik Rosier won’t face many stronger defenses than that from LSU.Among his two interceptions was a pick six. Only seven quarterbacks in the country had a lower completion percentage in the opening weekend (minimum 50 snaps). Lots of work to do.”"
Saturday’s game against the Tigers won’t tell us much. Miami set numerous school records including points in a game in a 77-7 victory over Savannah State in 2013. The game against FIU should similarly be a game Miami wins easily. Playing on the road at Toledo will be a bit more difficult.
The two non-conference home games will give Mark Richt and his staff ample opportunity to play multiple backups. With some of the performances we saw Sunday night, its a good time to at least see how players who normally don’t receive much playing time perform in a game situation.